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Zuma meets Lesotho coaliton government leaders on upcoming election

Xinhua, February 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

South African President Jacob Zuma on Monday met with leaders of the Lesotho coalition government to discuss preparations for the upcoming election in the kingdom.

Zuma, in his capacity as Chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Cooperation, was briefed on the final preparations for the election scheduled for Feb. 28, said Mait Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.

The meeting came amid rising tension in Lesotho since King Letsie III appointed Kananelo Mosito as President of the Court of Appeal.

Despite opposition from several political parties, Prime Minister Thomas Thabane went ahead with Mosito's swearing-in ceremony in late January, an event boycotted by Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing, who is Thabane's political foe.

Opponents say the appointment was a violation of the electoral agreement mediated by South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The agreement obliges political parties to defer senior appointments until after the poll.

Last weekend, a security guard of Thabane was killed and two soldiers were wounded in a shooting that further worsened the security situation.

Thabane's government is on a caretaker basis following the dissolution of parliament on December 5 last year to pave way for the snap election.

Nkoana-Mashabane refused to comment on the situation in Lesotho but said preparations for the elections are already underway and political parties have started campaigning.

To ensure a fair and free election, the SADC will send its Election Observer Mission (EOM) to Lesotho, she told reporters in Pretoria.

South Africa will lead and form part of the EOM, which is expected to be launched in Maseru on 18 February 2015, said Nkoana- Mashabane.

As Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Cooperation since August 2014, South Africa has led successful SADC Election Observer Missions to Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia, Mauritius and Zambia.

Lesotho has been in political turmoil since June last year when Thabane suspended Parliament to avoid a vote of no confidence that was being pushed by his coalition government partners.

In late August last year, a coup to oust Thabane was thwarted. Endi